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The Vine Issue 7 – 2026
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
Mr James Tamblyn
Pentecost
This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost; a significant milestone in our Christian calendar, sometimes called the ‘birthday of the Church’. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the early followers of Jesus. Fifty days after Easter, Jesus’ disciples were gathered together when the Holy Spirit descended upon them. The Apostles were filled with courage and empowered to share God’s love with people from all nations. Pentecost reminds us that we are never alone. The same Holy Spirit that empowered the early Church lives within us today, providing students and community members with guidance, comfort and strength. It calls us to be a welcoming community, celebrating our diverse gifts while remaining united in Christ’s love. As we enter this season, let us pray for a fresh renewal of faith and kindness in our hearts and actions.
Reception Commencement Service
It was a pleasure to officially welcome 2026 Reception students to the College at the Reception Commencement Service this morning. These students have made a very positive start to their school journey and it was wonderful to have so many families and friends in attendance to share Friday’s celebration. My thanks to Reception teachers Chris O’Brien and Rachel Watts, and DLAs Sue Stringer and Diane Owen, for their incredible support of our youngest students daily. We look forward to sharing the journey with Reception students and families over the next thirteen years.
40 Year Gala Celebration
My thanks to all community members who joined us for this event on 9 May at Adelaide Oval. Almost 350 people came together to celebrate Pedare’s first forty years. My thanks to all who made the evening possible, in particular our Community Engagement and Development Manager, Emily Chadbourne, whose organisation and attention to details ensured a wonderful night for all.
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – TEACHING & LEARNING
Mrs Eliza Buckoke
Empower is one of our Guiding Principles for Learning at Pedare, bringing about a focus across the College on fostering independence, resilience and the confidence to take intellectual risks.
To empower students means providing them with the tools, agency and voice to navigate complex ideas and truly own their educational journey. This is evident across the College, from Junior School students choosing their own problem-solving pathways in mathematics, to Middle and Senior School students taking the lead through peer coaching, live oral defenses in Science and self-directed Historical research. We also saw this independence on display beautifully during our recent Junior School Learning Journeys, where students took the lead in showcasing and reflecting on their hard work with their parents. By intentionally weaving these elements of agency and choice into our learning programs, we enhance our classroom routines and encourage our young people to step up across all learning areas as independent, accountable drivers of their own education.
This week we have been celebrating Languages Week. Spanning from Reception to Year 12, the week has offered a fantastic array of immersive, hands-on experiences including Chinese cooking lessons, German dancing, cultural craft workshops and drum sessions. It has been a wonderful opportunity for students across all year levels to connect with global traditions and celebrate linguistic diversity.
Next week, Years 5 to 9 teams are heading to St Peter’s Girls’ School for the Da Vinci Decathlon. This rigorous competition challenges students to work collaboratively under intense pressure across ten distinct disciplines. We wish our teams the very best of luck as they head into the competition and look forward to hearing all about their experiences.
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – STUDENT LIFE & WELLBEING
Mr Josh Willis
As a community, we often celebrate academic achievements, creative pursuits and sporting milestones. An underlying trait between all of these success stories is resilience. Outdoor experiences across various year levels provide the perfect environment for students to build confidence, independence and self-reliance outside the traditional classroom.
Whether navigating new environments on the Year 10 camp to the Limestone Coast, taking time to strengthen peer connections and look at the future during the Year 12 retreat, or building physical and mental stamina. Students have been actively learning that facing minor discomforts and setbacks is a powerful catalyst for personal growth.
Feeling nervous or uncomfortable during these activities is a completely normal part of everyday life and is the key to building resilience and overcoming anxiety. Dr Tom Nehmny from Healthy Minds talks about how nervousness is driven by an adrenaline response designed to help us, and the key milestone for young people is learning the difference between a real, dangerous threat and a safe, developmental challenge. When students lean into the temporary “butterflies” of a challenge, such as a difficult hike or meeting new people, they avoid the “Great Mistake” of prioritising short-term comfort over long-term learning. True resilience cannot exist without the opportunity to practise being resilient. Students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, unearth personal strengths and develop balanced, realistic thinking patterns. We are incredibly proud of the growth and willingness to take on challenges shown by students over the past few weeks.
We encourage all families to continue this conversation at home and explore the Pedare SchoolTV portal for more practical, expert strategies on supporting flourishing young people.
ACTING HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
Mrs Lisa Lacy
Earlier this week we welcomed excited families and students beyond regular school hours as they undertook eagerly anticipated Learning Journeys. Students led parents and special guests through their school learning in both classrooms and additional specialist lesson learning spaces, taking the opportunity to demonstrate their accomplishments in each location and share special time together.
Junior School Learning Journeys – Tuesday-Wednesday, 19-20 May
Today, we welcomed families and special guests in celebration of our youngest learners at the Reception Commencement Service. With student representatives from across the College, we acknowledged and celebrated the first year of these student’s school journey. This special Assembly saw Bibles blessed and presented to each student, Year 12 buddies accompanying Receptions into the service, very special music, messages and many memories shared.
Reception Commencement Service – Friday, 22 May
In the coming weeks, we will also welcome another group of new students and families into the Junior School community as transition visits commence for the Mid Year Reception class. We look forward to sharing more special milestones in this classroom in the coming weeks.
ACTING HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ms Simara Conroy
The Middle School has had several events which have enriched our community in recent weeks. Gideons International presented Bibles to Year 6 students and the new Year 7 students. This is an amazing gift, and we are incredibly thankful for their generosity in providing students with their own personal copy of the Bible.
Year 6 & 7 Gideons Bible Presentation – Wednesday, 13 May
Middle School Student Leaders recently demonstrated their initiative and agency by planning and leading the first Term 2 Middle School Assembly. This display of student-led planning highlighted their growing confidence to drive positive change, and contribute meaningfully to the life of our College.
The Community Quiz saw great excitement among Middle School students. It was fantastic to witness the spirited and competitive participation as they battled to earn valuable points for their communities!
HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
Mr Joel Cockerill
Term 2 is off to an exciting start, with Year 10 students travelling south for an unforgettable camp at Robe and Naracoorte. In coastal Robe, the students embraced the great outdoors, and in Naracoorte, the focus shifted underground where they explored the famous cave systems and learned about the region’s rich geological and fossil history.
Meanwhile, the Year 12 cohort headed to the Nunyara Conference Centre in Belair for their retreat. Designed to support them through the pressures of their final school year, the program balanced grit with mindfulness. On the first day, students tackled physical and mental challenges that required deep collaboration, communication and resilience. In contrast, the second day shifted its focus to wellbeing; students participated in reflective and mindfulness activities led by their Community Coordinators to help them manage stress and maintain perspective.
Year 12 Retreat – Monday-Tuesday, 18-19 May
On Tuesday, 2 June, Year 10 and Stage 1 students will attend the One+ Careers Expo featuring universities, industry professionals and pathway providers. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore their future career options.
FRUITFUL REFLECTION
Guided by the Word
This week, Year 6 and 7 students were visited by Gideons International, who presented students with their own pocket Bible. During the visit, the Gideons shared their ongoing global mission to place the Bible into every nation.
Together, we reflected on the promise of Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” In moments of uncertainty when the way forward feels unclear, grounding ourselves in Scripture provides the clarity and direction we need. Far from being a mere historical record, the Bible serves as a practical, living guide for our modern world.
We hope these Bibles remain a constant source of wisdom and encouragement for students on their faith journey.
Mrs Miriam Smith
COLLEGE NEWS/NOTICES
40 Year Gala Celebration
On Saturday, 9 May, nearly 350 members of the Pedare community gathered at Adelaide Oval to celebrate four decades of educational excellence.
It was wonderful to see such a diverse cross-section of the Pedare family in the room, including Old Scholars, current and past parents, current and past staff, friends and supporters of Pedare. We were also honored to welcome several distinguished guests, including the Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide, The Most Reverend Dr Brad Billings; the Uniting Church Moderator of South Australia, Rev Peter Morel; Member for Makin, Mr Tony Zappia MP; and the Hon. Rhiannon Pearce MP, State Member for King and Minister for Emergency Services, Local Government, Recreation, Sport and Racing.
Co-hosted by Old Scholar and staff member Michael Raymond alongside Deputy Principal Josh Willis, the evening was a beautiful blend of reflection and celebration. Guests enjoyed pre-dinner drinks at the David Hookes Terrace Bar before heading into the Ian McLachlan Room for fantastic food, flowing drinks and a walk down memory lane.
A major highlight of the night was Principal James Tamblyn’s onstage conversation with Founding Principal Geoff Catford and his wife Jan, alongside Past Principal Mike Millard. With brilliant musical performances by the Pedare String Quartet and the Pedare Stage Band, capped off by a grand finale from The Happy Leonards, it was truly a spectacular night to remember.
Mrs Emily Chadbourne
40 Year Gala Celebration – Saturday, 9 May
Our sincere gratitude to the following sponsors for their generosity: Marshall & Brougham, Simon Tolley Wines, SteamRanger, Gramazio Foods, Glen Ewin Estate, Mangosteen, Panini Brothers, Simply Thai, Garden Grove, Green Ginger.
41st Annual General Meeting
A reminder that the 41st Annual General Meeting of Pedare Christian College Inc will be held on Monday, 25 May, at 6pm in the Catford Lecture Theatre.
For further information, please follow the link to the College website: https://www.pedarecc.au/notice-of-the-41st-annual-general-meeting/
College Photo Day
Get your formal winter uniform ready, including ties and the Junior School red jumper or Middle/Senior blue blazer, and make sure your hair is well groomed because… MSP Photography will be coming to the College for School Photos on Tuesday, 2 June.
Family/sibling photos will be done in the Chapel from 8.15 am.
All photo orders are now placed online, and students do not need to hand anything to the photographer.
Please follow the link to place your order: https://pedarechristiancollegemsp-sa.msp.photos/
Online orders for family/sibling photos will close at 11am on Monday, 1 June.
2027 Senior Academic Scholarships
Registrations are now open for the Senior Scholarship Test for students entering Years 10, 11 or 12 in 2027. This is open to both new and current students.
Applicants are required to register online to sit the Senior Scholarship Test, where they are required to demonstrate a range of skills such as the ability to interpret, infer, deduce and think critically. The tests are not curriculum-based and do not test the ability to retrieve learned knowledge, nor are they diagnostic.
The closing date for registrations is Monday, 15 June 2026.
For more details and to register, head to the College website: https://www.pedarecc.au/enrolments/scholarships/
2027 Music Scholarships
Applications are now open for 2027 Music Scholarships.
The Pedare Music Scholarship Program recognises individual musical talent, demonstrating the commitment of the College to the Music curriculum and the Musical life of the College.
These scholarships, open to instrumentalists and vocalists, will be awarded to students who display outstanding musical ability and a sound academic record. The College has a strong music culture with Concert Bands, a Stage Band, Choirs and a Jazz vocal ensemble, String Ensembles, a string quartet, percussion and guitar ensembles. The Senior and Junior Musicals are performed biennially. Applicants may have a contemporary, jazz or classical background in Music.
For more information and an application form, please contact the College Registrar, Julie Holland at: [email protected]
LEARNING HIGHLIGHT
Languages Week
This week, Pedare celebrated Languages Week 2026 with a vibrant program of activities for Reception to Year 12. The week showcased Chinese and German languages through a variety of fun and immersive experiences.
Students in Years 3 to 9 participated in a Chinese Writing Competition, while Year 6 to 9 German students joined German language and cultural competitions. Students also competed with language quizzes throughout Home Group.
Students explored language and culture through hands-on activities, including cooking, food lessons, craft workshops and traditional games. Junior School students particularly enjoyed the cooking lesson and Chinese Sword Dancing workshop, while Middle and Senior School students took part in food and snack tastings and German dancing.
It has been a fantastic celebration of multiculturalism and communication, encouraging students to appreciate the richness of linguistic learning and to embrace cultural diversity.
Mrs Grace Liu
Languages Week Activities – Monday-Friday, 18-22 May
Stage 2 Food & Hospitality Excursion
Stage 2 Food & Hospitality students explored the beautiful tourist hub of Tanunda for a firsthand look at what it takes to run successful hospitality and tourism businesses in a competitive, world class region like the Barossa Valley.
They first met Rachel and Dave, the passionate owners behind the famous Browns Barossa Donuts. Students had the valuable opportunity to interview the duo, diving deep into flavour development, ingredient sourcing and logistics behind daily production. This highlighted the grit, creativity and dedication required to turn a culinary passion into a thriving local brand.
Afterwards, students visited the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, hosted by the Assistant General Manager, Steve, who provided a corporate perspective on the hospitality sector, detailing how a large-scale tourism venue operates, market positioning, guest experience and the importance of adapting to seasonal tourism trends.
The highlight of the day for many was the gelati and chocolate pairing session. Students put their palate testing skills to work, exploring how different flavour profiles, textures and temperatures complement or contrast with one another.
This fantastic experience has provided students with important insights for their upcoming assessments in Food & Hospitality.
Miss Bianca Cameron
Stage 2 Food & Hospitality Excursion – Wednesday, 13 May
Stage 2 Child Studies Adelaide Zoo Excursion
Stage 2 Child Studies students embarked on an action packed, hands on excursion to the Adelaide Zoo on Friday, 15 May. The primary objective of the trip was to analyse how young children navigate an overstimulating environment. With so many sights, sounds and smells, the zoo is a goldmine for observing how children process sensory information, manage excitement and interact with the world around them.
Students completed their observations with fantastic enthusiasm and will use the insights gained from this excursion for their upcoming assessment tasks, bridging the gap between textbook theory and real life human behaviour.
A huge congratulations to the Child Studies class for representing the school so beautifully, showing true resilience and maintaining great spirits rain or shine.
Miss Bianca Cameron
Stage 2 Child Studies Adelaide Zoo Excursion – Friday, 15 May
Year 10 Outdoor Education Camp
Year 10 students enjoyed four days of amazing weather at an Outdoor Education Camp to Robe and Naracoorte last week. Students raved about the variety of activities across the camp, highlighting the caving experience at Naracoorte and Surfing at Robe.
The overnight hike challenged students both physically and mentally, particularly when a sneaky wave left one group walking with wet feet at the end of their journey. Despite the tough beach walking, the stunning coastal scenery and picturesque views made the effort worthwhile.
Back at base camp, students enjoyed plenty of opportunities to relax and socialise with friends, with table tennis competitions and shared pasta dinners becoming unexpected highlights of the trip.
The camp was a fantastic success and a credit to the excellent group of Year 10 students who approached every activity with enthusiasm, resilience and positivity. A final thanks to the wonderful Pedare teaching staff whose dedicated support guided students throughout the entire camp experience.
Mrs Bronwyn Dutch
Year 10 Outdoor Education Camp – Tuesday-Friday, 12-15 May
Year 3 Adelaide Zoo Excursion
Year 3 students adventured into the Adelaide Zoo on Tuesday, 12 May. They were blessed with beautiful weather perfect for investigating, observing and learning about animals. Students participated in an Education Session in the Zoo Classroom on life cycles, where they learned about the life cycle of a stick insect, skink and frog, tying in nicely with the learning in Science and Unit of Inquiry this term. Students especially enjoyed hearing the chorus of the Siamang who usually mimics Kookaburras, sirens and other interesting sounds. It was a great day full of learning and exploring.
Miss Kayla Gyles
Year 3 Adelaide Zoo Excursion – Tuesday, 12 May
Extra-curricular
NEWS, UPDATES AND RESULTS
The Pedare Extra-curricular Portal is the central hub for information and links to our Sports and Clubs program. Regularly updated, it provides the latest news, announcements, results and important updates on Pedare’s extra-curricular activities and events.
Gallery 1855 Mess/Maker Exhibition 2026
Huge congratulations to Ramona E and Sophia P (Year 7), for their bravery in entering the Mess/Maker exhibition!
These young artists are stepping into the professional world at Gallery 1855, 2 Haines Road, Tea Tree Gully. This exhibition celebrates the “magical mess” of creativity that brings art to life. Being selected is a testament to their spirit to contribute to the broader arts community.
You can support artists by attending the Messy/Maker exhibition from June 20 to July 25, 2026.
Mrs Emily Kenny
SPiN Statewide Schools Carnival
Year 4, 5 and 6 students from Foundation SPiN Squad participated in the Statewide Schools Carnival at Argana Park on Monday, 11 May. Students thrived in the carnival-style competition with both teams demonstrating fantastic skill and growth throughout the day. While they didn’t progress to the second round, the players diligently implemented feedback from coaches to elevate their gameplay and teamwork. Well done Foundation SPiN!
Miss Kayla Gyles
Golf Junior Sharp Cup
Congratulations to Miller S (Year 9), who has capped off a terrific golf season representing Royal Adelaide Golf Club. Miller’s Junior Pennant Team won the Junior Sharp Cup, and Miller has reached the impressive handicap of 2. We wish all the best for Miller’s future endeavours!
Mr Heath Perry
Photo Credit: Royal Adelaide Golf Club
AAMI Talent League Girls Premiership
Della M (Year 9) represented Norwood U/18 team this year in the AAMI Talent League Girls Premiership and was successful in winning the Grand Final. Della was one of the best on ground, a great achievement considering she is only 14 years of age.
Mr Heath Perry
IN THE COMMUNITY
National Volunteer Week
This week marks National Volunteer Week, and the theme this year is “Your Year to Volunteer.” Before the week comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our incredible volunteers. Your dedication, tireless efforts and unwavering support make an immeasurable difference to students and the community every single day.
Whether you are helping in classrooms, supporting events, driving fundraising or fostering engagement with families, your contributions are deeply valued and greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time, your energy and your generosity!
Want to get involved? To find out more about volunteering at Pedare, please email [email protected].
Mrs Emily Chadbourne
Anglican Schools Chaplains Network Professional Development Day
It was a privilege to host the Anglican Schools Chaplains Network Professional Development Day last week, honoured by the new Archbishop of Adelaide, The Most Reverend Dr Brad Billings.
The event provided a fantastic opportunity for chaplains to share insights on how to further support students, strengthening the ties among the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide, Anglican schools and local church communities.
Thank you to all the chaplains who attended from Investigator College, Pulteney Grammar School, St Columba College, St John’s Grammar School, St Peter’s College, St Peter’s Girls High School, Trinity College South Australia, St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School and Woodcroft College for their dedication, their heart for students and their continued service to the local community.
Mrs Miriam Smith
Anglican Schools Chaplains Network Professional Development Day – Thursday, 14 May
COMMUNITY NEWS
Tea Tree Gully Anglican
Tea Tree Gully Anglican Church is a group of Christians who seek to serve Jesus in everything we do. Whether you are just visiting or looking for a Christian home, we aim to be a loving and supportive family for you.
On Sundays, we meet at the church at 8.30 am, 10.00 am and 6.00 pm. If you want to discover what the bible says Christianity is all about, join one of the numerous weekly bible discussion groups, or want to find out about our Kids Club (R-6) from 3:30-5pm and Youth group (Y7-12) from 7-9pm that both operate on a weekly basis during school terms.
Please visit our website (https://ttganglican.org.au/) or contact Rick Maude at [email protected] for details.
Gully Church (Tea Tree Gully Uniting) – Banksia Markets
Gully Church hosts the ‘local and friendly’ Banksia Markets on the first Saturday of each month from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm at 600 Milne Road, Banksia Park. Stalls inside the hall and in the car park include produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, jewellery, tools, bric-à-brac and lots more.
For more information, contact the Gully Church website at https://www.ttguc.org.au/ or email [email protected]
Golden Grove Uniting Church
Golden Grove Uniting Church, corner of Crouch and One Tree Hill Road, Golden Grove, has a traditional service at 10 am on a Sunday. Also, on the second and fourth Sunday of the month, we have a cafe-style church, a relaxed contemporary worship service at 6 pm in the Church hall.
Café Youth is a fun, interactive program for young people ages 14 and up looking to engage in topics of faith. Café Youth sessions start with a fun 30-minute activity based on the theme for the night, then followed by “Talk Time”, during which the group discusses a topic of faith while enjoying delicious snacks, refreshments and pizza! The cost for each session is $5.
For further information, please contact the Office at 8251 4298 or email [email protected] You can even check our webpage: https://www.goldengroveuniting.org.au
KEY DATES
Want to enrol your child? Need more info?
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